Signed Maori New Zealand Tiki Hand Carved Wooden Shell Mask Plaque Wall Hanging

Signed large Maori hand carved wall hanging. Wood carving has played an important and respected role in Maori culture since before the first people arrived in New Zealand aboard their fleet of ocean-going waka (canoes). Whakairo rakau (wood carving) focuses on using a range of native timbers, particularly wood from the majestic giants of the forest, the kauri and totara. The trees used for wood carving represent Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest. Each carving tells a story and records a piece of history.

Carvings are rich in symbolism and use common patterns, though styles differ between tribes. Symbols include the tiki, which represents the human figure, and the manaia, a creature with a bird-like head and serpent-like body, associated with guardianship. Traditional patterns used in carving were often inspired by the natural environment, including spider webs (pungawerewere), fish scales (unaunahi) and the unfurling fronds of the fern (koru). This piece is a'Pou Pou' which depicts the descendants on the chief and was traditionally carved into the uprights of a meeting house.

Beautiful kauri wood inset with paua (abalone) shell eyes. 12.25" x 5.25" x 1.25.

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